Closure of crusher industries affects Melamchi project works

MELAMCHI, Aug. 12:

Construction works in the tunnel sites of the Melamchi Water Supply Project has been affected due to shortage of construction materials as crusher industries have been closed in Indrawati river area.

Construction companies working in the project have warned the project of possibility of project works coming to complete halt for some time if there is no smooth supply of necessary sands and gravels.

The Melamchi project has informed the concerned ministry about this and was assured of solution, said a project engineer.

However, the District Development Committee (DDC) has not thought of resuming the closed crusher industries immediately. Local Development Officer of the DDC said nothing has been decided about the crusher industries of the Indrawati area.

The DDC has also not decided on awarding tenders for the new fiscal year and Kavrepalanchok DDC has decided not to give any more licenses for crusher industries in the Indrawati area.

Local residents, however, said the Melamchi project should supply sands and gravels by running a separate crusher industry of its own without destroying the environment.

Local people are not ready to allow the same industries in the name of taking construction materials by the project as they are run against the crusher standards, said Indrawati Conservation Struggle Committee Chairman Kishor Bidyadhar.

On the other hand, the main construction company of the Melamchi project CMC Italy has demanded smooth environment for supply of sands and gravels, said Deviram Adhikari of the company.

Source: Republica